Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-13

elaborate, is sufficiently rich in the ma
terials for the occasions mentioned
above, and for which it is alone in
tended.
An altogether new idea and one that
certainly conveys an impression OF say
agery, with its elegance, is the adoption
of tiger skins into ladies costumes. a
toilet turned out here a few days ago
by a leading modiste exhibited this
strange feature, nevertheless, and the
effect is by no means displeasing it
would not surprise me if tiger and leo
pard skins were soon quite extensively
used for this purpose. The costume
referred to had the front of the skirt
made from the skin, this being the only
portion so made, but it might with very
good effect be employed for a vest or
plastron on a costume requiring one,
and would also furnish the side panels
for plush or velvet skirt
II these skins come TO be generally
worn our bathrooms, by the addition of
a few large palms and ferns, may assume
the appearance of Indian jungles, with
their native denizeRs.
A young girl of fifteen, recently seen,
was tastefully attired in a costume of
dark-green woollen material made with
loose jacket, the front of which was
finished with a flowing vest of brown
surah, and the back clOse-ftting, and
cut into two triple plaits. The skirt
was loosely gathered, and wide piece
of the cloth, with braid sppliques upon
it, was inserted horizontally into it, A
braided collar and cuffs, an edging of
braid and buttons along the sides of the
open jacket, and large bow of ribbon
at the waist formed the trimming, and
the dress made very pretty and ef-
fective school costume.
Among delicate fancies in under
clothing are flannel sacque night
dresses in cream, pale-blue, lavender,
and other light tints, trimmed with
ribbons and lace. They are particu-
larly appropriate for ladies in poor
health, and are very comfortable III
yentions for others.
Silk undervests have insertions on the
front of Smyrna or Valepciennes lace,
which also forms the edging of the
short sleeves. On some vests knitted
space takes the place Of this insertion,
and is in 81 different color from the rest
Of the garment.
Scarfs to be worn as fchus are in
filmy Grape de chine or Canton Grape OF
the most delicate tints, and long enough
to afford graceful draping and tying.
The old fashion Of wearing scarf
Al -, o,.o,..,,c, l1.ooo hoo hao,, raxrix-o1
on one or two rich costumes, the scarfs
being of heavy cord woven flat into
very handsome designs, usually in seve-
raj colors. They are brought from one
shoulder, fall gracefully down the back,
then caught up TO the other shoulder,
and looped across the front.
For mourning toilets during the
coming spring sateens, imperial sergeS,
Annures, silks, and cheviots are among
the fabrics which will begin the season.
Armures are shown in white as well as
black, the former being, of course, just
as deep mourning as the latter The
white, however, must be perfectly
pure. A tinge OF cream i'll it renders
II wholly unfit for this purpose.
For second mourning fine ginghams
are shown, and these will be very ex-
tensively used. The colors are black
and lavender.
SHORTCOMINGS during the period Of
mourning include black shawls-arti-
Giles which, however, l do not think
very many fashionable ladies will be
willing 10 put on. They are not, fortu-
nately, necessary. A black wrap, with
jet trimmings, is entirely proper, and
shawls look rather old-f&shioned, SO
that the wrap is generally chosen.
Since ladies here dress in about the
same style and quite as deliberately for
the opera, as they do for ball or grand
affair OF any kind, the wraps worn to
the opera-house, and which are as SER
viceable for other evening occasions,
are very rich and elegant. One re-
Gently noticed was in peacock blue
plush made, as all these cloaks are, very
nearly as long as the dress-skirt be-
meath and trimmed with blue fox, iri-
descent bead passementerie being
placed upon the back and front. This
wrap opens from the waist line behind,
and is made TO fit the form accurately.
G. H. NJ.